Tasting Room Series

You are currently browsing the archive for the Tasting Room Series category.

Wine Wednesday: Fog Crest Vineyard

September 16, 2015 in Tasting Room Series, Travel, wine by traveleatlove | 3 comments

I can’t write a post about wine tasting in Northern California without first sending my thoughts and prayers to everyone affected by the devastating wildfire in Lake County. It’s hard to imagine the destruction, the fear, and the loss happening there, but it has also been amazing to see the community rally around those who have lost everything. If you’d like to help, you can visit this website for information. In the meantime, let’s hope that they get some much-needed rain.

My eight days in Sonoma were action-packed. For the most part, I was working for Sonoma Wine Country Weekend, but we also had a few days to ourselves for wine tasting and mostly soaking up sun. One place on my to-visit list for years was Fog Crest Vineyard. The theme of my trip was drinking beautiful wine in beautiful places, and Fog Crest was one on my list of sought after patios to taste on.

We visited on a scorching hot day, but it was that dry, California heat that feels so incredibly good to me. I swear my muscles felt looser, I felt more awake yet relaxed. I crave that sort of heat. Fog Crest, which is located atop the Laguna Santa Rosa, is worth the visit for the views alone. Never-ending mountain and valley vistas are the perfect backdrop as you taste some really delicious Chardonnays and Pinot Noirs.

While the chilled Chardonnay was perfect for the heat we enjoyed, my wine of the week is the 2012 Laguna West Pinot Noir. Fruity, bright, and with a mouthwatering acidity, this Pinot Noir is an excellent fall wine, making its way easily from a warm, blue sky day to chilly evening, paired with grilled chicken and veggies.

Another wonderful aspect of the Fog Crest experience was the tasting room staff. The woman who welcomed us, whose name I unfortunately didn’t get, was incredibly sweet and knowledgeable. She also gave me an amazing recipe for miso creamed kale. I can’t wait to make it.

Fog Crest Vineyard is a must-visit on your next trip to Sonoma County. It’s in my top five for beautiful location and I would imagine is gorgeous any time of year. Can I go back now?

Tags: Pinot Noir, Sonoma County, Travel, vineyard, wine, wine country, wine travel, Wine Wednesday, winery

Ram’s Gate Winery

July 14, 2015 in Tasting Room Series, Travel, wine by traveleatlove | 4 comments

Happy Travel Tuesday! How is everyone? I have missed this space as it has has definitely taken a back seat to work life and summer fun these days. I have so much catching up to do, but most days after a 12 hour work day, marathon training run, gardening, and attempting to eat healthy, I just want to curl up on the patio with a good book. Weekends have been full of seeing friends, and beach, boat, and pool time and little else, meaning our poor house is a mess as it tends to be every summer. I am definitely still traumatized by winter; I had nightmare about it last night. I want to squeeze out every drop of sunshine.

Still I have so much I want to write about, and I have missed this space! I am still mapping out posts from my recent work trip to Sonoma County, and today’s features a new favorite winery that you must visit if you head to Sonoma or Napa.

Ram’s Gate Winery is an architectural and natural masterpiece, set at the gateway of Napa and Sonoma amongst gorgeous hills and vineyards, capped off by perfect blue sky.

Ram's Gate Winery

Every inch of the winery has been designed with incredible attention to detail and taking into account the views and the light that this location is bathed in. I loved how, upon arrival, we could see right through to the other side of the building and out to the hills. The photo doesn’t capture even 10% of how amazing it was.

Ram's Gate Winery

As we took our tour, each room brought more ooh’s and aah’s. From the barrel room to the various tasting areas to the chef’s kitchen, each space is meant for entertaining and education. I loved how each corner brought a new seating area or something different; this place is perfect for group get togethers or small tastings as a result.

As we traveled through the winery to the outside, the beauty just kept coming. Nestled above the vines, the property really boasts some pretty views.

And just as the property delights with details and finesse, so does the wine. It was a hot and sunny summer morning when we visited, and a cold splash of bright, tropical Carneros Chardonnay was a welcome treat for our walk around. Ram’s Gate’s wines reflect their unique sense of place, and Carneros Chardonnay is beautiful.

Our tour concluded with a tasting of three Chardonnays and three Pinot Noirs, grapes the Carneros area specializes in. As always, it was fun to taste through the same grape grown in different places to note the differences created by the conditions in each location. Ram’s Gate makes Pinot Noir in a range, from the cool climate Carneros region to Northern Russian River, and they really pride themselves on the knowledge and craft of those wines, highlighting the characteristics driven by terroir. As their website says, they like to get specific about where the grapes come from; they can pin it down to the actual row the grapes came from.

Ram’s Gate is a true experience not to be missed. It is open by appointment only, so be sure to check their website and call before your travels. I can’t wait to bring my husband there when we visit later this summer.

Tags: Carneros, chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Sonoma, Sonoma County, Travel, wine, wine tasting

Wine Wednesday: Jonathan Edwards Winery

May 13, 2015 in Tasting Room Series, Travel, wine by traveleatlove | 1 comment

Our weekend in Mystic was short, and we wanted to cram in as much sightseeing as possible. Despite this. we managed to fit in two really great wineries, both which offered beautiful scenery and impressive wines. First there was Salwater Farm Vineyard, where we enjoyed a tasting and beautiful views. We also visited Jonathan Edwards Winery. a unique property in that is makes wine from both estate grown Connecticut grapes as well as grapes from Napa Valley. Out in the country, surrounded by land and horses, the area that Jonathan Edwards in is absolutely stunning.

Our visit was on a cold and cloudy day, yet plenty of people sat outside with their wine, enjoying the view. I can imagine that the winery is really spectacular in the summer!

Inside was just as beautiful, with lots of light and wood and traditional country touches.

Jonathan Edwards CT Chardonnay

We loved the space, but the wines truly wowed us. We tasted through seven wines. Most notable was the back-to-back tasting of their Connecticut Chardonnay and Napa Chardonnay. The wine made from CT grapes won me over! Notes of citrus and bakes pear make this wine both crisp and luscious, creamy, with a hint of oak, ideal for Connecticut coastal cuisine. We also loved the Napa Valley Merlot, with grapes from Yountville, for its earth, tobacco, berries, and spice. I was hoping to try their CT Cab Franc, but they weren’t pouring it yet, giving me another reason to return!

The winery was welcoming and encouraged us to take our glasses out to explore. Always happy in the country, especially where there are vineyards, we bundled up and braved the early spring (really felt like winter) to breath some fresh air and soak in the beautiful quiet.

Jonathan Edwards offers some elegant and flavorful wines from two very different regions, along with excellent hospitality and a relaxing space just perfect for a little getaway. Add it to your Mystic weekend itinerary!

Jonathan Edwards Winery